school safety

Insecurity has become a significant threat to the effective delivery of basic education in Nigeria, particularly in communities affected by banditry, kidnapping, armed attacks, and communal violence. This study examined the influence of insecurity on teaching-learning outcomes in Universal Basic Education primary schools in Kagarko Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Specifically, it investigated the effects of insecurity on pupils’ academic performance and school attendance and identified strategies for reducing its adverse effects. The study adopted a qualitative documentary research design and relied on secondary data obtained from government publications, policy documents, institutional reports, international organisations, and peer-reviewed journal articles. The selected documents were analysed using qualitative content analysis and organised according to the study’s major themes. The findings revealed that insecurity negatively affects pupils’ academic performance by reducing instructional time, disrupting curriculum coverage, weakening concentration, and creating fear within the learning environment. It also reduces school attendance as parents may prevent their children from attending school because of kidnapping, attacks, unsafe travel routes, and instability within surrounding communities. Consequently, insecurity undermines the implementation of Universal Basic Education by limiting regular participation and disrupting stable teaching and learning conditions. The study concludes that ensuring school safety is essential for achieving the objectives of free and compulsory basic education. It recommends strengthening school security, implementing the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools, improving community participation, providing psychosocial support, protecting routes to school, establishing emergency response systems, and adopting flexible learning arrangements during periods of disruption.

Background: Bullying remains a significant adolescent health and school safety concern. Self control may influence students' behavioral regulation and involvement in bullying. Objectives: This study examined the association between self control and bullying behavior among students at SMPN 1 Cikembar, Sukabumi Regency, Indonesia. Methods: A correlational cross sectional study included 293 students selected from a population of 1,059 using proportional stratified random sampling. Self control and bullying behavior were assessed using questionnaires based on the Brief Self Control Scale and Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire. Associations were analyzed using the Chi square test and prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: High self control was reported by 185 students (63.1%), while 184 (62.8%) demonstrated low bullying behavior. High bullying behavior occurred in 56.5% of students with low self control compared with 25.9% of those with high self control. Low self control was significantly associated with higher bullying prevalence (PR = 2.18; 95% CI: 1.62–2.92; X² = 27.22; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Lower self control was significantly associated with bullying behavior, without establishing causality. School prevention programs should integrate behavioral assessment, counseling, and coordinated teacher and parent support.

زمینه: زورگویی همچنان یکی از نگرانی‌های مهم سلامت نوجوانان و ایمنی مدارس است. خودکنترلی ممکن است بر تنظیم رفتاری دانش‌آموزان و مشارکت آن‌ها در رفتارهای زورگویی تأثیرگذار باشد. هدف: این پژوهش به بررسی ارتباط بین خودکنترلی و رفتار زورگویی در میان دانش‌آموزان مدرسه متوسطه اول دولتی شماره ۱ چیکمبار، شهرستان سوکابومی، اندونزی پرداخت. روش‌ها: این مطالعه مقطعی همبستگی شامل ۲۹۳ دانش‌آموز بود که از جمعیت ۱۰۵۹ نفره با استفاده از نمونه‌گیری تصادفی طبقه‌بندی‌شده متناسب انتخاب شدند. خودکنترلی و رفتار زورگویی با استفاده از پرسشنامه‌هایی بر اساس Brief Self Control Scale و Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire ارزیابی شد. ارتباطات با استفاده از آزمون کای‌اسکوئر و نسبت شیوع (PR) با فاصله اطمینان ۹۵٪ (CI) تحلیل گردید. یافته‌ها: ۱۸۵ دانش‌آموز (۶۳/۱٪) خودکنترلی بالا و ۱۸۴ نفر (۶۲/۸٪) رفتار زورگویی پایین را گزارش کردند. رفتار زورگویی بالا در ۵۶/۵٪ از دانش‌آموزان با خودکنترلی پایین در مقایسه با ۲۵/۹٪ از افراد با خودکنترلی بالا مشاهده شد. خودکنترلی پایین به طور معناداری با شیوع بالاتر رفتار زورگویی مرتبط بود (PR = 2.18؛ ۹۵٪ CI: 1.62–2.92؛ X² = 27.22؛ p < 0.001). نتیجه‌گیری: خودکنترلی پایین به طور معناداری با رفتار زورگویی مرتبط بود، بدون آنکه رابطه علیت اثبات شود. برنامه‌های پیشگیری مدرسه‌ای باید ارزیابی رفتاری، مشاوره و حمایت هماهنگ معلمان و والدین را دربرگیرد.

School – Based violence has been recognized as a major educational challenge (UNESCO, 2019). In Uganda, and particularly in urban centers such as Mbale City, reports of student misconduct, peer influence, and group-related conflicts are becoming more common. These challenges not only affect academic performance but also threaten the safety and well-being of learners. Therefore, this study examined the causes, effects, and prevention strategies of school-based violence and gang activity in Mbale City. This study adopted a mixed-approach design, combining literature review with contextual observations in the community whereby Secondary data was obtained from text-books, reports, academic publications and newspapers. Studies indicated that violence in schools negatively affects learners’ academic performance, psychological well-being, and social development (UNESCO, 2019; UNICEF, 2018). Locally, informal observations and reported cases in Mbale City suggested increasing incidents of bullying, student grouping, fighting among students, Intimidation and harassment, Group-based conflicts and indiscipline. The study identified key contributing factors such as peer pressure, family background, Weak school discipline systems (Gottfredson, 2001), Exposure to violence in media and community influence, Overcrowding in some schools and school environment. This further highlighted that effective prevention requires a combination of school-based interventions, parental involvement, and policy support. In Mbale City, these activities remain significant challenges in education and these issues are increasingly visible which require urgent attention according to media reports (Daily monitor 2026, April 17). The study concludes that a coordinated approach is essential in promoting safe and supportive learning environments by combining global research with local understanding to strengthen discipline systems and supervision, Guidance and counseling services in schools, student behavior monitoring by parents and Government’s support to policies that promote school safety.